Vehicle buffer



4 J. C. PENNYPACKER VEHICLE BUFFER Filed July 22, 1926 ZWV-EIVZWE {kings0 y W Patented on. 26, 1926.

UNITED STATES v I 1,604,600 PATE OFF JAMES c. PENNYIEACKER, 0FPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VEHICLE BUFFER.

-- Application filed July 22, 1926. Serial No. 124,117.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in vehicle buffers,and has for its object to provide an exceedingly sim' ple and effectivedevice of this description,

which when applied to street railway cars,

traflic and yet instantly projected into operative position. v r

A still further object of my invention is to provide a simple andeflective trip mechanism for releasing the buffer head.

Vith these and other ends in view, this invention consists in thedetails of construction and combination of elements hereinafter setforth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this inventionappertains, may understand how to make and use the same, I will describeits construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1, is a conventional showing of the front of a trolley car, with myimproved bufier installed thereon.

Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section showing the buffer head in itsinactive position and the trip mechanism holding the spring compressedwithin the barrel.

Fig. 3, is a side elevation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is a front end view of Fig. 3.

In carrying out my invention as here enibodied,'11 represents a housingor barrel which is preferably cylindrical in shape,

having its rear end closed by the cylinder head 12, the latter having ahole 13 through which slides the buffer rod 14.

lVithin the housing is confined a coil spring 15, through the center ofwhich the bufier rod passes, and this rod has secured in any convenientmanner upon its outer end the buffer head 16 against which the outer endof the spring acts. The inner face of this buffer head is preferablyrecessed as indicated at 17, in order that the end of the spring may soseat therein as to maintain the head in alignment when being forced inor out. This arrangement obviates the ne cessity of otherwise guidingthe rod 14.

Projecting from the side of the housing 11 are two lugs 18 in'which thetrip rod 19 1s journalled, and this rod has a nose 20 .upon its outerend adapted to be swung in.

front of-the buffer head so as to hold said head in the position'shownin Figs. 2 and I 3, thus holding the spring 15 compressed within thehousing; a collar 21 carried by the trip rod serving to preventlongitudinal movement of said rod.

22 is a crank carried'by the inner end of the tripro'd having an eye orother means of connection with an operating rod 23 for 'actuatingtlietrip rod as and for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

The lugs or feet 24 project from the hous- I ing and are so placed as tobe utilized for securing the device in the desired position on the car25 by screws, bolts, straps or otherwise.

From the foregoing description the operation of my improved buffer willobviously be as follows:

Normally the spring 25 is compressed within the housing and held in thisposition by the louder head 16 being forced backward and secured againstthe action of the spring bythe nose 20, but should a collision beimminent, it is only necessary for the driver to pull upon the rod 23 torelease the buffer head, which latter will be then projected forwardbeyond all the force of the spring, thus modifying the shock, whichmight otherwise seriously injure the car and its passengers.

The outward stroke of the buffer head is.

limited by the nut 26 threaded upon the rod 14;, and by adjusting thisnut forward, projection of the buffer head may be determined.

After the buffer head hasbeen utilized to avoid an accident, as justdescribed, it is forced backward in any convenient manner, and latchedin its inoperative position by the nose 20, thus again holding thespring in compression and readyv for further utilization.

In certain classes of vehicles, it may be desirable to use a number ofthese buffers, in which case, actuating rods may be operated from asingle source such as a lift lever.

The fact that the buffer head can be retracted prevents the interferencewith traffic on crowded streets and in turning sharp corners, and yetpermits its projection to a considerable distance in front of thevehicle upon Which it is carried,. thus greatly reducing the tendency toserious accident, and as my improved buffer is of exceedingly simpleconstruction, it is readily adapted for application to any form ofvehicle.

Of course I do not Wish to be limited to the exact details ofconstruction as herein shown as these may be varied Within the limits ofthe appended claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and usefulis:

1. 'A vehicle butler comprising a housing; 'arrying means for securementto avehicle; a coil spring guided Within said housing; a bu tier head inwhich one end of the spring seats; a rod carried by the butter head andpassing through said spring and head of the housing; a stop nut threadedupon the inner end of the rod; a trip rod journalledupon, the housing; anose projecting from one-end of the trip rod and adapted to be swunginto the path of the buffer head for normally holding the latter againstthe com-- pression of the spring; and means for swinging said nose outof engagement with the buffer head. v

2.The herein described combination of a cylindrical housing having oneend thereof closed with a cylinder head; a buffer rod passing through asuitable opening in said head; a butler head secured upon the outer endof said rod; a spring coiled around said rod and interposed between saidheads; a stop nut threaded upon the inner end of the housing; feetcarried by the housing for se curing the latter to a vehicle; a trip rodjournalled in lugs carried by the housing; a nose projecting from theouter end of said trip rod; and a crank carried by the inner end of saidtrip rod for attachment to means for rotatingthe trip rod to'latch andunlatch the buffer head.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

JAMES C. PENNYPAGKER.

